CLEVELAND -- Before Joey Votto's ninth-inning, bases-clearing, go-ahead double in the Reds' eventual 7-4 win over the Indians on Tuesday night at Progressive Field, a critical communication error was made, which perhaps led to the All-Star first baseman's clutch knock.
Indians manager Terry Francona told pitching coach Carl Willis he wanted left-hander Oliver Perez to face Votto, a lefty. Instead of "O.P." -- Perez's initials -- Willis thought he heard "O.T.", the nickname for Dan Otero, a right-hander who went out to face Votto after closer Cody Allen allowed three runs in the ninth and loaded the bases for the first baseman.